cdg
05-31-2008, 03:54 PM
Before I start my discussion, this being my first post, I will introduce myself briefly. Skip this if you really don't care who I am. :D
My name is Craig, I own an interest in my caving machine with my Dad - we got a killer deal as part of the Craftsman club. I'm 20 years old and going to school to become a shop teacher. I enjoy working with my hands, and have been working as a mechanic since I was a little boy. The fascination with wood came around 7th grade when shop class was the only thing I was much good at. I'm hoping to teach wood shop although I could teach auto and metal shop thanks to my welding "hobby" that has become more of a job as of late. Other passions include motorcycles (rebuilt a '74 Suzuki TS 125, waiting to get my hands on a TS 400), Photography (all film), Cinematography (regular 8mm movie), computers (build ITX rigs), guitar (acoustinc or electric), and probably too many other things to list.
Right now I'm playing with the machine, but I'd like to investigate making it into a potential business. Had one breakdown that was handled admirably by LHR tech support (shout out to Phillip) :) I had the opportunity at my old job to go to Georgia Tech where I learned the Alpha CAM system and was able to learn a lot about the Morbidelli CNC machines. I have to say that these machines, while much faster and designed for production level work still involve a steep learning curve and frequent maintenance and occasional breakdowns just like this mini machine does.
OK, the intro is over, those if you caring to read about my real question, you can start here.
As I'm learning the machine I purchased all of LHRs own bits. But now that the backup bit was broken in the machine when the QC adapter failed, I am going to purchase another 1/16 carver bit. For that matter I want to eventually replace all of the LHR bits with ones that are made in a different country. In CNC operations, I've always been somewhat "loyal" to Onsrud products. I'll be waiting for the warranty to expire before trying any of this to avoid any complications with tech support.
So does anybody have any good bit sources for bits that aren't made in China? Any sources for bits that you feel may offer improvement over the LHR bits in some particular way? I have not yet found the LHR bits to be at all lacking in quality, as I said, I'm mostly just looking for USA, Germany, or Italy bits. Incidentally Craftsman shows two different Freud made cutters as being compatible with the machine. I believe they will likely be made in Italy.
Seeing the CarveWright really makes me excited as in many ways it is quite revolutionary in the CNC world. A step in the right direction from an industry that relatively speaking is still in its infancy.
My name is Craig, I own an interest in my caving machine with my Dad - we got a killer deal as part of the Craftsman club. I'm 20 years old and going to school to become a shop teacher. I enjoy working with my hands, and have been working as a mechanic since I was a little boy. The fascination with wood came around 7th grade when shop class was the only thing I was much good at. I'm hoping to teach wood shop although I could teach auto and metal shop thanks to my welding "hobby" that has become more of a job as of late. Other passions include motorcycles (rebuilt a '74 Suzuki TS 125, waiting to get my hands on a TS 400), Photography (all film), Cinematography (regular 8mm movie), computers (build ITX rigs), guitar (acoustinc or electric), and probably too many other things to list.
Right now I'm playing with the machine, but I'd like to investigate making it into a potential business. Had one breakdown that was handled admirably by LHR tech support (shout out to Phillip) :) I had the opportunity at my old job to go to Georgia Tech where I learned the Alpha CAM system and was able to learn a lot about the Morbidelli CNC machines. I have to say that these machines, while much faster and designed for production level work still involve a steep learning curve and frequent maintenance and occasional breakdowns just like this mini machine does.
OK, the intro is over, those if you caring to read about my real question, you can start here.
As I'm learning the machine I purchased all of LHRs own bits. But now that the backup bit was broken in the machine when the QC adapter failed, I am going to purchase another 1/16 carver bit. For that matter I want to eventually replace all of the LHR bits with ones that are made in a different country. In CNC operations, I've always been somewhat "loyal" to Onsrud products. I'll be waiting for the warranty to expire before trying any of this to avoid any complications with tech support.
So does anybody have any good bit sources for bits that aren't made in China? Any sources for bits that you feel may offer improvement over the LHR bits in some particular way? I have not yet found the LHR bits to be at all lacking in quality, as I said, I'm mostly just looking for USA, Germany, or Italy bits. Incidentally Craftsman shows two different Freud made cutters as being compatible with the machine. I believe they will likely be made in Italy.
Seeing the CarveWright really makes me excited as in many ways it is quite revolutionary in the CNC world. A step in the right direction from an industry that relatively speaking is still in its infancy.